The World's Most Glamorous Film Festival In Pictures

We look back on the best red carpet moments from the Cannes International Film Festival
- bymarie claire

02 May
2016

Sophia Loren

1954: Italian starlet Sophia Loren attended the star-studded festival in the South of France in 1954..

Grace Kelly

1955: This image was shot at the 8th Festival de Cannes. The actress (and Princess of Monaco) was in attendance at the festival for the screening of George Seaton’s The Country Girl.

Brigitte Bardot

1956: Notorious sex symbol B.B. takes a beachside stroll during the 9th Cannes Film Festival. The French actress would later go on to pose for artist Pablo Picasso in his studio in Vallauris near Cannes during the 1956 festival.

Elizabeth Taylor & Mike Todd

Natalie Wood

1959: Photographers swarmed on actress Natalie Wood in 1959.

Alfred Hitchcock & Tippi Hedren

1963: Alfred Hitchcock arriving at Nice Airport with his muse Tippi Hedren. As the lead actress in Hitchcock’s horror film, which depicted unexplained, violent attacks by birds, Hedren’s debut performance opened the 16th Cannes Film Festival on May 9th, 1963.

Claudia Cardinale, Burt Lancaster & Luchino Visconti

1963: Italian director Luchino Visconti poses with the stars of his 1963 drama ‘Il Gattopoardo’ (‘The Leopard’) on Cannes beach. Pictured here with a cheetah, Visconti went on to win the Palme d’Or for that year, the highest prize awarded at the international festival.

Ursula Andress

1965: Promoting her 1965 film ‘She’, Swiss actress and Bond girl Ursula Andress had undeniable star power, surrounded by members of the press in this iconic photograph.

George Harrison & Pattie Boyd

1968: Captured in this extraordinary retro pinstripe suit, Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison was accompanied by his wife Pattie Boyd on their way to the 21st Festival de Cannes. Pictured here at London Airport, the newly wed couple flew to France to attend the premiere of Joe Massot’s Wonderwall, a film Harrison had composed the music for.

Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin

1969: Passionate lovers Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin charm in this iconic portrait of an impromptu beachside photoshoot during the 22nd Cannes Film Festival. Renowned for her effortlessly cool style, Jane Birkin stuns in this sultry, yet undone white ensemble.

Jack Nicholson & Anjelica Huston

1974: Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston attended the 27th Cannes Festival in 1974. Here the the on-and-off couple joyfully celebrated Nicholson winning Best Actor for his role as a military policeman in The Last Detail.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

1977: Back before Arnold Schwarzenegger entered politics, he showed off his impressive physique on Cannes beach, surrounded by the cabaret girls of Folies Bergére. Arnie attended the 38th festival to promote his bodybuilding docu-drama, Pumping Iron.

Princess Diana

Madonna

1991: Arriving for the premiere of her film In Bed With Madonna, the British songstress turned heads in this iconic pin-up Jean-Paul Gautier design. With a conical bra, silvery underclothes and a pink silk wrap, this '40s-inspired ensemble shocked crowds at the 44th Cannes Film Festival.

Nicole Kidman & Tom Cruise

1992: One of the hottest power-couples making an appearance at the 45th Cannes Film Festival, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman descended the red-carpeted stairs to attend the screening of their romantic adventure film Far And Away.

Johnny Depp & Kate Moss

1997: The ‘It’ couple of the 1990s attended the 50th festival to promote Depp’s performance in his latest film, The Brave. Turning heads in this grey Narsico Rodriguez shift, the British supermodel looks on adoringly at her American beau.

Johnny Depp & Kate Moss

1998: Shortly after their break-up in 1998, Kate Moss and Hollywood actor Johnny Depp gathered at the 51st Cannes Film Festival to promote Terry Gilliam’s weird and wonderful Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas.

Ralph Fiennes & Liv Tyler

1998: English actor Ralph Fiennes and American actress Liv Tyler posed in contrasting suits at the 51st annual Cannes film festival. The pair was in attendance to promote their 1998 romantic drama film Onegin.

Angelina Jolie

2004: American actress and humanitarian Jolie waved to fans whilst posing for photos on the red carpet at the premier for Shrek 2. Rocking menswear in this crisp Dolce and Gabbana suit, Jolie’s timeless ensemble was a stand out at the 57th Cannes International Film Festival.

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt

2007: The well-publicised romance between actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt found the media in a complete frenzy at the 60th International Cannes Film Festival in 2007. Pictured here attending the premiere of A Mighty Heart, the controversial couple embraced each other as they sauntered hand-in-hand down the red carpet.

Eva Longoria

2013: Actress Eva Longoria attended the premiere of ‘Le Passe’ (The Past) during the 66th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals in 2013. Surrounded by a host of photographers, Longoria wows in this long-sleeved backless Zuhair Murad gown.

Cara Delevingne

2013: Fashion industry ‘It’ girl Cara Delevingne poses for photographers during the opening ceremony of the 66th annual Festival de Cannes. Attending the premiere for Baz Lurhmann’s theatrical remake of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the catwalk maven stunned in a glamorous, floor-length Burberry dress.

Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds

2014: Newly wed actors Blake Lively - who reigns over every red carpet she encounters - and Ryan Reynolds attended the premiere for Captive during the 67th annual Cannes Film Festival. Matching in monochrome, Blake stunned in a classic Gucci gown, while Ryan sported a smart black-and-white tuxedo.